Meditation and Self-discipline

You won't hear from me for some time from now. I will attend a Vipassana meditation course held in Vipassana Centre called Dhamma Suvanna in northern Thailand. It is said that although Vipassana was developed as a technique by the Buddha it can be freely practiced by everyone, without conflict due to race, community or religion. Vipassana means seeing things as they really are by observing the natural breath to concentrate the mind.

The timetable for the next 10 days will be the following (plus the introduction day and the last day):

4:00 am Morning wake-up bell
4:30-6:30 am Meditate in the hall or in your room
6:30-8:00 am Breakfast break
8:00-9:00 am Group meditation in the hall
9:00-11:00 am Meditate in the hall or in your room according to the teacher's instructions
11:00-12:00 noon Lunch break
12 noon-1:00 pm Rest and interviews with the teacher
1:00-2:30 pm Meditate in the hall or in your room
2:30-3:30 pm Group meditation in the hall
3:30-5:00 pm Meditate in the hall or in your own room according to the teacher's instructions
5:00-6:00 pm Tea break
6:00-7:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
7:00-8:15 pm Teacher's Discourse in the hall
8:15-9:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
9:00-9:30 pm Question time in the hall
9:30 pm Retire to your own room--Lights out

I have waited this for so long, and now I am nervous: 10 days in silence, no talking, reading, writing, no physical exercise, no chocolate cakes... I hope no panic attacks either.

So, I will talk to you later!